Cinti felt foolish walking through the city alongside a gaping Kuro. She knew this would happen, so how could she allow herself to even feel a shard of hope? All men were the same in their base desires in the end.

  When they arrived outside the guild doors, she summed up her frustrations.

  “If you’re quite done gawking, we’ve arrived.”

  Then, when Kuro gave a half-hearted response, she sighed and said, “Let’s just get this over with.”

  The doors creaked slowly back and all eyes turned on them, glinting hungry as goblins for battle.

  As soon as the other guild members saw Cinti, their expressions turned disapproving, even disgusted. One by one, they were both unceremoniously dismissed as the crowd returned to their activity.

  Cinti ignored the implied disregard. Let them preoccupy themselves with training or flirting over a hot meal. Who could blame them? The men of Mistifa were just as, if not more, beautiful than the women. Chiseled jaws, chiseled muscles on refined slender bodies, perfect skin and hair, and all standing six and a half feet tall or slightly more.

  She rolled her eyes to herself, leading Kuro inside. Though most busied themselves, the few that paid them mind did so out of repulsed shock. One male elf called out amidst a group that had paused their marksmanship practice against the east wall.

  “Cinti, what is that wretched thing you brought into the guildhall. Did you find it in the sewers on one of your errands?”

  The lot of them snickered, before another added, “Honestly, how do they get so fat? He must just be full of shit. Repulsive.”

  “Who could comprehend being so low, my friend?” the first replied.

  Kuro seemed to realize they were talking about him, glancing down at himself awkwardly. To the left of the archers was a sparring ring for fighters and exercise equipment where some guild members trained. Cinti was familiar with the layout. To the west were tables and chairs comprising a mess hall, while ahead of them was a door leading to the kitchen, where chefs would whip up breakfasts and suppers. But she was focused on the flight of stairs beside it that lead to the first floor.

  Before she could make it there, a surprised whistle carried over the hum.

  “If it isn’t Cinti! Not even so much as a greeting from you, eh?”

  Cinti froze up and Kuro paused beside her. A half-naked male elf approached, wiping sparkling sweat from his chest with a towel he’d slung over one shoulder.

  Kuro shifted uncomfortably. It was evident he didn’t know how to respond to the situation.

  The elf leaned forward as if to get a better look at the two of them.

  “Where are you in a hurry to go?” he said. “You're only here to deal with the pipes, so why act like you have urgent business?"

  Cinti gritted her teeth, but only surveyed him like a fly had landed in her drink. He carried on, chuckling haughtily while ignoring her open sneering.

  “That’s the only reason you come here anymore, isn’t it? The only job you can handle, really… cleaning out our vermin-filled pipes. Well then! Don’t stop on my account. The guild master is probably dying to see you since I heard the problem has gotten increasingly out of hand. Run along, sewer-knight.”

  Cinti sucked in a deep breath, held it, and stepped around him. Kuro’s footsteps echoed behind hers. Once she reached the top of the stairs, she released her withheld rage in a slow leakage of burning aura. Still, she said nothing about the mockery.

  It would be pointless to engage in retaliation here and more so now that she had taken responsibility for Kuro’s wellbeing. She didn’t glance over the railing to the ground floor, but she knew that they were still being watched. And mocked.

  Ahead of them stood the help desk preceded by several rows of chairs that functioned as a waiting area, next to which was a bulletin board pinned with various jobs. Her only interest, however, was the grand, gilded arched doors to the guild master’s office.

  “Wait here,” she said, nodding to the waiting area. “And do. not. talk. to. anyone. Understood?”

  Kuro saluted her and repeated, “Understood.”

  When he was seated, she went over and knocked on the office door. A voice on the other side bid her to enter. Before she did, she glanced once more over her shoulder to check on Kuro. He shot her a thumbs up and promptly engaged in staring blankly at the ceiling.

  ‘Good.’

  Cinti pushed the door and entered to find the guild master enthroned before a massive ash-wood desk arrayed with paper documents and leather-bound books. In the light pouring in from the stained glass windows behind him, his long, fair hair which was drawn back into a tie, shone faint silver at his temples. Age had touched him only there, and in the confident, yet restrained, calmness of his movements. With a gentlemanly wave, he gestured for her to sit. Then he poured her a glass of what he was having. All done without comment, as if it was the most natural thing to offer kindness before questions.

  Those jewel-bright eyes, nearly the colour of the glass he held out to her, warmed when she sat before him. Cinti knew better than to mistake him for innocent. The best of them, perhaps, but no one sat in positions of power without getting a little blood on their hands. Even the ones least likely to remind her at every opportunity of her position in life.

  “It’s good to see you, Cinti,” he said with a polite smile.

  “Likewise, guild master.”

  “The outbreak is quite a bit worse. The confounding pests found their way into Lady Sicle’s home—droppings on her bed, if you can believe it! I am sure you can imagine, there is nothing more vile for a Lady than rats invading her personal space.”

  Cinti only hummed in agreement, restraining a huge eyeroll. The Lords and Ladies of Mistifa were so over the top, there was plenty she could imagine being just as vile to them.

  “Now the higher ups are breathing down my neck to address this,” the guild master went on. “Thankfully you were available. No respectable elf would dare venture into the sewers for a job, no matter the reward.”

  The comments weren’t meant to be offensive, so Cinti forgave him that. But he was elven in his nature at the end of the day. Sharp-tongued by default, even if he truly meant well.

  “I’m more than aware,” she said, “It’s beneath them and whatnot. Don’t worry. I’ll clean up the mess for you. Before I do, though, I have a request.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  The mature elf had already turned his attention to the ledgers spread in front of him.

  “The reward was raised to five coppers per head. That is as high as it can go.”

  Cinti shook her head.

  “Not that. I have an assistant now.”

  The guild master glanced up, brows raised in mild surprise.

  “He’s human… and has no papers.”

  Cinti inhaled as she studied the expression on his face. Those neat, flaxen eyebrows raised a touch higher.

  “I see…” the guild master purred, resting his chin between an infuriatingly graceful forefinger and thumb. “So you would like him registered as an adventurer here in Mistifa.”

  She nodded.

  “That is quite the tough ask, Cinti my dear. Your registration was headache enough, even with our blood in your veins.”

  Again, she nodded. This time, the motion was more firm. She needed to convince him for Kuro’s sake, or her whole plan, and all the pains they had undertaken for it, would be a waste.

  “Come, we have to face the facts. If you want this job done properly, and other tasks like it—”

  “Whatever could you be insinuating?” the guild master cut in.

  “You know what I mean. The jobs that no one else is willing to do because it’s ‘beneath them’ or ‘unbecoming’. For things of this nature, I’ll need a party, and no high elf would ever work with me. Not just because of my condition, but my status as well. So, if you and your Lords and Ladies want a chance at making a serious dent in this muskrat issue, then you will not only allow this human to register, but cater for the possibility of several more outsiders joining my party in future.”

  She had forgotten herself in that little tirade, but didn’t feel badly about it. It was only natural to get a touch worked up in her situation. And the guild master didn’t seem to mind. He sat back in his plush chair for a moment, examining her with amusement veiled behind the hand resting upon his lips.

  “The city is desperate to come to grips with the infestation,” he muttered. “It would be a small price to pay to have a few outsiders occasionally granted entry to perform these undignified, but necessary duties.”

  It didn’t take long to have his official answer.

  “Right! I’ll allow it. Produce tangible results, then we can talk about adding more to your clan in time. We must move ahead with caution; elves do not change quickly. Something your mother knew too well.”

  “Thank you, guild master.”

  Cinti stood with a bow and was about to depart when the guild master threw out a chilling question.

  “There was a Blood Moon recently… Of course, I know it’s been three years, but how are you holding up?”

  Her breath got stuck halfway up as she steeled herself.

  Quietly, she said, “Just fine, but thanks for your concern.”

  “Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to come see me. It’s the least I can do on her behalf.”

  “That’s very kind,” she said, already turning toward the exit.

  “Good, good. I’ll notify the receptionist of your request. What is the name of your newest party member?”

  “Kuro.”

  After mulling it under his breath first, he gave a sharp nod.

  “Interesting. Well, Nigris will see to the details with you shortly.”

  Cinti hurried out, holding a mixed bag of frustration and disgust. She knew that unlike the other high elves, the guild master meant her no ill intent, and was probably the only person on her side. She owed that fact to his previous questing days in the same party as her mother, not any personal merit. Still, she could not shake the feeling of being looked down on like a slave begging for scraps from the master’s table.

  Her revulsion only spiked when she saw Kuro chatting up the receptionist. Nigris the receptionist was a sly, ash-haired fox of an elf. And she was clearly using him to amuse herself.

  When she asked Kuro if he would like her to sing for him, Cinti stepped in, grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt and hauled him away.

  “No, he doesn't want to hear your song, Nigris. Just get us what we need,” she said.

  “Aw, you’re no fun!” Nigris pouted her perfect pink lips. “Are you worried I’ll steal your little toy? You shouldn’t be. I only wanted to play for a bit then give him back.”

  Kuro tried to protest.

  “Hey, what’s the big deal, Cinti? I was really looking forward to—”

  Cinti turned him around, holding him by the shoulder and deadpanned, “She’s toying with you. Her songs have the power to enchant. First she’ll sing for you, then make you do stupid, humiliating stuff.”

  The receptionist giggled as she reached into a drawer to retrieve a wooden case. Cinti threw a nasty look back for her.

  “Like what?” Kuro said.

  Cinti sighed and returned her attention to him. “Like making you take off your clothes and run around naked, or use you as furniture.”

  Kuro gasped as if genuinely shocked and hurt.

  “Is that true?” he asked Nigris over Cinti’s shoulder.

  “Aww! Look at how hurt he is!” the receptionist squealed.

  Moaning like some harlot, she added, “Ohhh, I’m sorry, but yes. I’m a bad girl. I like to entertain myself from time to time. But who knows, maybe you would have liked having me sit on your face?”

  Kuro was taken aback by her statement, shifting between shock, confusion, and something like pleasure.

  “Oh my! Look at him! He doesn’t know whether to be upset or aroused,” Nigris laughed. “Too easy, dirty boy. Anyway, here are your things.”

  She lifted a case onto the counter and Cinti and Kuro approached.

  Snide as ever, she said, “It looks like you two are about to start a little pity party, huh?”

  Cinti only rolled her eyes in response as she opened it. Inside rested a book which she snatched up. She looked straight at Kuro, pressing it to her bosom.

  “Before you take the oath of the adventurer, I just want to ask you, do you still want to do this? You’ve seen what it’s like out there, so I won’t blame you for changing your mind.”

  ***

  The question jarred Kuro. He had thought the decision was already made. Pausing to think about it, he first imagined a peaceful life as a laborer beside a beautiful woman, then envisioned himself with Cinti, fighting back-to-back against a mob of goblins.

  Despite his earlier reservations, when he opened his mouth, the words came out on their own.

  “I want to.”

  Cinti’s shoulders relaxed and she lowered the book to face him, front cover laid bare.

  “Place your hand on the book and repeat after me: I, Kuro—”

  “I, Kuro…”

  “Promise to come to the defense of truth, law, and order; to protect and serve those in need, for a fee.”

  Kuro repeated the oath, a little caught off guard by the last part. He sensed power flow out of his hand and into the book. As it did, the lily white cover and pages began bleeding red. The cover became like living muscle, trimmed with bone.

  He snapped up to meet Nigris’ horrified eyes, the rest of her face contorted in disgust.

  “Ewww!” she said, gagging. “Even your contract is hideous. No bad omens here or anything.”

  He glanced at Cinti, who also seemed concerned though she tried not to show it.

  Handing him the book, she said, “Take it. It’s your Adventure’s Contract Book.”

  The clammy binding set his pores rising.

  “We use it for everything. It will make note of quests you've taken on and show you detailed information about your current stats and skills. Use it to help you make decisions on what type of adventurer you want to be,” she finished.

  Kuro opened the book and saw his name and classification as a Summoner laid bare in ornate script. Cinti immediately slapped it shut.

  “View it in private,” she said, trying to sound casual. “This kind of information can be very sensitive since it displays all your strengths and weaknesses.”

  “Oh… sounds important.”

  “Exactly. It’s a powerful magical item and costs a fortune to replace. Be careful who you show it to.”

  She shot a nasty glare at Nigris who had leaned forward to catch a glimpse. She broke into a grin, twirling her hair innocently.

  Once their business there was complete, Cinti found an inn, as they would be staying in Mistifa for a few days while they worked. That was despite the guild having free room and board for guild members. She made it clear to Kuro that she could not stand most of her fellow guild members.

  And when he thought about how he’d almost been enchanted into mental slavery, he privately agreed lodging elsewhere was probably for the best.